This Week in D.C.

H-2B visas

NRCA continues advocacy to expand and improve the H-2B seasonal guest worker program. On Jan. 26, NRCA CEO Reid Ribble sent a letter urging the Secretary of Homeland Security and Secretary of Labor to use authority provided by Congress to issue more visas for the second half of fiscal year 2022 (April 1 through Sept. 30). We are optimistic this will be successful because a similar letter sent in spring 2021 resulted in the administration issuing 22,000 additional visas for the second half of fiscal year 2021, and some NRCA members were able to obtain visas from that supplemental allotment.

NRCA also is supporting the Returning Worker Exception Act (H.R. 3897), legislation to permanently expand the number of visas allocated annually and make other improvements to the H-2B program. On Jan. 28, NRCA will send a grassroots Action Alert to contact your members of Congress in support of this legislation to expand and reform the program on a long-term basis.


ICYMI: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Steven Breyer to retire

On Jan. 26, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Steven Breyer announced his plan to retire, setting up a Senate confirmation battle to fill the seat. Democrats only need 51 votes to confirm a new justice, and we expect a Biden nominee to receive a few Republican votes, as well. During President Biden’s campaign, he pledged to name a black woman if he got the chance, and the two leading candidates reportedly are federal Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and California Supreme Court Justice Leondra Kruger.


OSHA heat illness regulatory proposal

On Jan. 26, NRCA submitted comments to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in response to its intent to create a regulation for Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings. OSHA plans to establish a standard to protect employees from heat stress and requested information from regulated stakeholders regarding more than 100 questions related to this issue. As part of its long-standing commitment to health and safety, NRCA provides its members with tools to improve the health and safety of their employees, including preventing heat-related injuries and illnesses.

The comments outline the reasons for NRCA’s belief that, if a regulatory approach is to successfully protect employees, it must be kept clear and simple by integrating the key concepts of the “Water, Rest, and Shade plus Training” for handling potential heat stress exposures. View NRCA’s comments.


Reminder: Roofing Day in D.C. 2022 returns in person April 5-6

Registration for one of the largest advocacy events in Washington, D.C., now is open at www.nrca.net/roofingday. Join fellow roofing professionals on Capitol Hill as we advocate for our industry! Congress must see and hear from you to understand the critical issues we face. Together, we can make a difference.

View a tentative itinerary to learn more about Roofing Day in D.C. 2022.

Date : Jan. 01, 0001

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